Looking for a new home; Bread for Life looks to relocate its proposal

By Lisa Capobianco
Staff Writer
After accepting an offer from Southington school officials, Bread for Life has asked the Planning and Zoning Commission for a 60-day continuance for its application to build a new facility across from Derynoski Elementary School, according to a press release.
Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski announced during last week’s meeting that Superintendent Dr. Joseph Erardi, along with school administrators, will help Bread for Life find another location for its facility.
“We are excited as a board to collaborate,” Goralski said during the meeting. “I am confident that with the parents’ support and the community’s support, we could find a way to make this work best for the people that need it the safest possible way for our schools.”
Although it was unclear how often Bread for Life will meet with school officials, Southington School Supt. Dr. Joseph Erardi said in an e-mail that the scheduled meetings may depend on “how quickly we propose an alternate site.”
Erardi also said he decided to help Bread for Life because it plays an important role in the community.
“I hold the organization in a very special place,” he said. “They do an extraordinary work for so many.”
Bread for Life, a non profit organization that provides hot meals to people in need five days a week, has proposed to bring its property to 296 Main Street. The 3,200 sq. foot building would meet Southington’s growing demand of its residents, according to a press release on Bread for Life’s website. During a Planning and Zoning mission several weeks ago, parents of students at Derynoski rejected Bread for Life’s application, expressing concern for their children’s safety.
Eldon Hafford, the executive director of Bread for Life, refused to comment on the collaboration with school officials, but Bill McDougall, the chairman, said in a press release that his organization looks forward to working as team with school officials to “explore other possibilities.”
“Our mission at Bread for Life is to feed the hungry in Southington and for 30 years we have fulfilled that mission with a collaborative spirit,” McDougall said in the release. “We have looked for a suitable property for a decade and hope the focus of town officials will be helpful.”